Hope Solo to be honored by U.S. Soccer before national team game vs. Denmark

The World Cup-winning goalkeeper was suspended and then had her contract terminated in 2016, but Solo will be honored by U.S. Soccer for earning more than 200 caps with the women's national team before the squad's friendly against Denmark on Jan. 21 in San Diego, the federation announced on Thursday.

Advertisement

Hope Solo, who hasn't played for the U.S. squad since 6-month ban after Olympics in Brazil, will be honored before the U.S. women play Denmark in San Diego later this month. (Eugenio Savio/AP)

The ceremony could make for an awkward scene since Solo was banned for six months for making controversial comments after the U.S. was eliminated by Sweden in the 2016 Olympics, calling her opponents "cowardly" and proclaiming "the best team did not win."

She hasn't played since and has been openly critical of coach Jill Ellis and some of her former teammates, including star striker Alex Morgan.

Rio Olympic controversies and scandals

In 2014, Solo was arrested on domestic assault charges involving her half-sister and her nephew, and the following year her husband, former NFL player Jerramy Stephens, was busted for DUI while driving a U.S. Soccer van.

Hope Solo waves a copy of the Daily News as the World Cup champs are honored in 2015. (Robert Sabo/New York Daily News)

Solo, 36, appeared in 202 matches for the national team, winning two Olympic gold medals and one World Cup title. She has not officially announced her retirement from international soccer, but she presently is one of eight people running for U.S. Soccer president.